NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED BONE SHIP MODEL IN A STRAW WORK CASE
InformationFrench prisoner-of-war bone model with marquetry case, French/English, circa 1790. The bone model represents a one 120 gun, three-deck English frigate. The model has a planked bone hull with applied baleen straking. Most of these miniature POW models in straw work boxes have solid hulls because it was so much more difficult to plank a hull of this small size. The model has a beautifully carved and polychrome figurehead depicting a “Roman Warrior”. The quarter galleries and stern galleries also are applied to the hull and have fine detailed carving. The spars which include bow sprit, masts, yardarms and boom are finely detailed and are made of bone. The rigging is very intricate and demonstrates a remarkable amount of detail given the miniature size and scale of the model. Their are approximately 20 paper sails with had drawn sail seems mounted over the bow sprit, three masts and gaff. There is a painted flag with a cross flying from the top of the main mast with a union jack above the bow sprit and a British Admiralty flag flying from the top of the gaff. The deck fittings are well detailed, which include windlass, railings, grates, etc. The model has approximately one hundred and twenty small brass cannons with three rows coming through the hull and several more mounted on the top decks. The bottom two decks have red painted cannon hatches. The model sits inside its original straw marquetry multi-colored base and has four turned bone feet. The interior of the case also has elaborately inlaid marquetry inlaid patterns on the base, sides and even the ceiling. Mounted to the back of the case is a rectangular shaped mirror which provides a view of the back of the model. The front and sides of the case are glazed which allow light into the case. The top of the case has a turned ivory urn shaped finial mounted. There is a brass bail swinging handle mounted to the top center of the case. The interior marquetry is remarkably well preserved and retains its vibrant tone and color because it was protected from light and the elements. The model is in outstanding condition and appears to be untouched and retains its bright color. (SM0737)
Condition: The model and its sails and rigging are an amazing well preserved condition. The straw work on the inside of the case is excellent condition and the exterior of the box is also in very good condition with only minor scattered losses.
Reference I: Freeston, Ewart C., "Prisoner of war Ship Models 1775-1825", London: Camelot Press, 1973, pp. 21 & 112. (p.21) "This bone model of a three-deck ship, around which are placed mirrors, is set in a case decorated with straw marquetry. Similar examples may be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and Arlington Court, Barnsatable, Devon."
Reference II: "The Lloyd Collection of Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War Artifacts", Kennebunk Port, Maine: 1986, Plates 119 and 120. In these two plates, similar examples of marquetry cased prisoner-of-war models appear and are described.
Dimensions of case: Length 10 1/2 inches; Height 9 ¼ Inches; Depth 4 1/4 inches.
Circa 1790
